Two men jailed for murder of David Maxwell in Pilgrimage Street

Two men were jailed for life at the Old Bailey on Friday for the murder of David Maxwell in Pilgrimage Street.

Jailed: Ronnie Atuqiya and Chudi Hengari-Ajufo

David Maxwell: the stab wounds pierced his heart

21-year-old Ronnie Atuqiya of Dagenham was sentenced to life in prison with a recommendation that he serve a minimum of 20 years.

Chudi Hengari-Ajufo, aged 18 and of no fixed address, was sentenced to life in prison with a recommendation to serve a minimum of 16 years.

Both men had been found guilty of murder at the same court on 18 May.

The court had heard how they stalked 18-year-old David Maxwell through the streets of SE1 on 31 October last year and stabbed him in the back outside a convenience store in Pilgrimage Street, off Long Lane.

"This was a brutal and vicious attack in broad daylight on a teenager just walking down the street," said Detective Inspector Nathan Eason.

"Atuqiya and Hengari-Ajufo stalked David and his friend through the local area before striking. Atuqiya was carrying at least one knife – he and his associate clearly intended to cause David very serious harm that day.

"It remains unclear what the motive for this attack was but I am pleased they have been convicted and will spend a long time behind bars."